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LATEST SUBMISSIONS

Follow the money on the upcoming bond/tax increase elections

Tuesday, October 23 at 12:28 AM

This Speakout has not been edited.

By Fred E. Hammer

There are signs all over town saying “Yes” to “A – I.”
And, many editorials telling voters to approve all 9 issues. Also, “volunteer” speakers have been making the rounds, talking about how the needs have been “scrubbed” so that only the most critical one-half billion dollars are included in the upcoming vote.

This election is squarely about Denver citizens and taxpayers’ money, because, if approved, property owners will pay more in taxes and renters will likely pay more in rents. It may be worth it for the good of the city, but I just say “follow the money” and carefully consider the issues.

a) Many “volunteers” are being paid over $4,000/month, per published reports.

b) Contributors to “yes” campaign:
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, $300,000
Colorado Symphony, $125,000
Denver Botanic Gardens, $100,000
Hensel Phelps Construction, $100,000
Denver Center for Performing Arts, $25,000
Hickenlooper for Mayor, $ 25,000
Xcel Energy, $ 25,000

Given that taxpayers fund a good portion of the museum, symphony, botanic gardens via the existing SCFD tax, it is interesting that those public entities are now spending money to promote bond issues. Why? because they stand to gain hundreds of millions of dollars if the issues pass.

Conclusions:
1. There is a reason why this election has nine separate issues rather than one $500 million question. (one would likely not pass.) The city expects you to carefully consider each of the issues in hopes that you will pass at least some of the items.

2. Personal experience from over 25 years in government:
a) Government tends to be a “growth industry”
b) When was the last time you heard a government agency or department say they don’t need more money?
c) I have found that, frequently, the only way to force government efficiencies and productivity improvements is to restrain their budgets.

3. Tax/fee increases already scheduled for 2007/2008:
a) The governor’s statewide property tax increase of at least $48 million.
b) Denver Parking tickets increase from $20 to $25 (handicapped violations from $100 to $150)
c) Denver water increase of $13 a year.

4. Tax increases recently passed:
a) “Kiddie sales tax” in Denver to fund preschools (2006)
b) Referendum C — over $5 billion in forgone refunds for five years (over $1,000 for every person in Colorado) (2005)

How much government can you afford? Which programs absolutely need more money?

I suspect if all the ballot questions are voted down, that the “real” short list of critical needs will emerge for voters to consider. And, don’t fall for the line that “this is only a slight increase in the mill levy.” That is like a car salesman saying “your payment will only increase by $10 per month.”

Fred E. Hammer is a resident of Parker.

READER COMMENTS

Let's see. We are looking at Charlie Rangles' $1trillion tax hike "fix" for the AMT, Hillary's $1 trillion tax hike "fixes" for both retirement schemes and socialized medicine schemes, Ritter's blizzard of tax-hike "fixes" and Hick's alphabet tsunami--from A to Z--of more tax hike "fixes." And finally, this worthless dem. controlled congress will surely let the Bush tax cuts expire--more tax hikes. And I am sure that before its over, the dems will hit us with a yet undisclosed blizzard of more even tax hikes. All of this tax hiking happening in a very short duration of time.

If you suddenly tax the consumer into submission, then you are voting to croak nearly 70% of the economy. Tax hikes mean slower economic growth, less, business expansion, fewer new jobs, less disposable income and reduced spending. They also result in a mis-allocation of capital and financial inefficiency.

Can you spell R-E-C-E-S-S-I-O-N?

Posted by Hank on October 23, 2007 09:30 AM

There is enormous duplication among the issues. Two others mirror 1A on maintenance, and OH, didn't we pass a bond issue for the same maintenance last year? As a small businessman, who owns my own small building, I will be cleaned if 1A passes. In fact, we have already resolved if it does, to leave Denver.

Posted by Commentator on October 23, 2007 07:21 AM

I guess that, to me anyway, one of the most incredible pieces of information about this equally incredible A-I measure is how without so much as a wink, the Mayor says that these needed infrastructure maintenance/repairs have been "neglected". And for several Democratic Administrations!!
And I suspect that the same voters who kept voting Democratic Administrations into office over all that time, will approve many of these as well.
Doesn't it bother anyone that Democrat after Democrat Mayors and City Councils have allowed this "neglect"?
Also, has Mayor Hick EVER seen a tax increase he didn't endorse??
And don't forget that while your direct tax burden might "only" increase some 'minor' amount, the money from the private parties will be added to your bill for services from those donors!!

Posted by Jim in Erie on October 23, 2007 06:12 AM